Matthew Farber teaches social studies at Valleyview Middle School, in Denville, New Jersey. Mr. Farber is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Technology Leadership at New Jersey City University. He is also on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Council for the Social Studies. His book, Gamify Your Classroom: A Field Guide to Game-Based Learning, from Peter Lang Academic, is available from Amazon.
Papers, Please(paid; iPad) won multiple awards in 2014. It is an ethical decision-making game set in a fictional communist country during the Cold War. The objective is to checks immigrant papers. The penalty is delayed, such as a reduction in income that can affect the health of your family. (It is recommended for older students; Preview first. suggestive content can be toggled off in “Settings”).
Nightmare: Malaria(free; iPad/Android) is a social awareness game about malaria. The narrator is voiced by actress Susan Sarandon. The game features facts about malaria and how simple solutions, like nets, can save lives.
Argubot Academy (paid, iPad) teaches argumentation competencies using a trading card mechanic. There is a teacher dashboard available to track progress.
TouchTone(paid, iPad and iPhone) is a puzzle game with text that puts you in the role of an NSA-like agency. The mechanic creates a sense of complicity. (There is graphic language in the texts. Please preview levels first!)
Civilization(paid, iPad) is a nation-building game.
Matthew Farber teaches social studies at Valleyview Middle School, in Denville, New Jersey. Mr. Farber is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Technology Leadership at New Jersey City University. He is also on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Council for the Social Studies. His book, Gamify Your Classroom: A Field Guide to Game-Based Learning, from Peter Lang Academic, is available from Amazon.
Resources:
Games for Change
Games:
Papers, Please(paid; iPad) won multiple awards in 2014. It is an ethical decision-making game set in a fictional communist country during the Cold War. The objective is to checks immigrant papers. The penalty is delayed, such as a reduction in income that can affect the health of your family. (It is recommended for older students; Preview first. suggestive content can be toggled off in “Settings”).
Nightmare: Malaria(free; iPad/Android) is a social awareness game about malaria. The narrator is voiced by actress Susan Sarandon. The game features facts about malaria and how simple solutions, like nets, can save lives.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition (paid, iPad/Android) is a first-person building block game.
Argubot Academy (paid, iPad) teaches argumentation competencies using a trading card mechanic. There is a teacher dashboard available to track progress.
Parable of the Polygons (free, PC/Mac) is a playable blogpost about discrimination.
Syrian Journey: Choose Your Own Escape Route__ (free, PC/Mac) is a choice-based game about refugees from the Syrian civil war
Pocket Lawyer (free, PC/Mac) is the free tablet version of iCivics' Bill of Rights game, Do I Have a Right?
That’s Your Right(free, PC/Mac)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War(freemium, iPad) is a graphic novel and game about World War I
TouchTone(paid, iPad and iPhone) is a puzzle game with text that puts you in the role of an NSA-like agency. The mechanic creates a sense of complicity. (There is graphic language in the texts. Please preview levels first!)
Civilization(paid, iPad) is a nation-building game.